Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is usually used for people who get panicked or feel anxious or discomfort during complicated procedures such as root canals, fillings, or routine cleanings. Certain medical professionals mentioned conscious sedation as procedural sedation and analgesia. Previously, it’s been referred to as sleep dentistry, twilight sleep, happy or laughing gas or happy air as well.

What are the steps followed for conscious sedation?

The steps for conscious sedation may vary from one procedure to another. Typically, it might be like:

• First of all, you will be made to sit in a chair or lie on a table. You will have to change your outfit to a hospital gown if you’re going to get a colonoscopy or endoscopy. If you are going to have an endoscopy, you’ll usually have to lie on your side.
• You will be given a facial mask that lets you inhale the sedative.
• You will have to wait until the sedative effects. It might take an hour before you feel like drowsing.
• Your dentist checks your blood pressure and breathing. If your breathing gets too shallow, you will have to wear an oxygen mask to keep your breath in control and blood pressure at normal levels.
• Once the sedative takes effect, your dentist starts the procedure. It depends on the process of how long you need to be sedated. It might be little as 15 to 30 minutes, or up to several hours for more complicated procedures.

How does conscious sedation feel like?

The effects of conscious sedation differ from one person to another. You will have a feeling like drowsiness and relaxation, as well. Once the sedative starts taking effect, negative emotions, stress, or anxiety will vanish.

You will have a tingling sensation in your body, especially in your arms, legs, hands, and feet. This might be accompanying a heaviness or laziness that makes it hard for you to lift or even move your limbs. The world around you slows down for a while.

Does this conscious sedation have any side-effects?

The most common side-effects are drowsiness, heaviness or laziness, memory loss about what happened throughout the procedure or amnesia, slow reflexes, low blood pressure, headache, and feeling sick.

How about the recovery?

 It might take a while to come back to senses, which is a common side-effect of sedation.

• It would be better if you bring a family member or friend along with you to drive or take you home.
• Some side effects may last for the rest of the day in the form of headaches, drowsiness, etc.
• Take a day off work and keep all your intense physical activity away for a while until the side-effect wears off.  

Find out more about conscious sedation as you visit our office. Call Sun-Park Dental today at (916) 435-1155 or request an appointment online.